The biggest and newest trend for juvenile court is transferring juveniles to adult
court. The term for this is wavier or certification. The juvenile court does this for two
reasons: The court feels that society is threatened because the offender is "dangerous"
and forms a threat on society. The other reason is that the court feels that the juvenile is
not able to be treatable or rehabilitated.
The children in the world today are under peer pressure and live in environments
that contribute to their delinquency. The responsibility for juvenile crime does not lie
only with the juvenile, but is shared by the social and educational systems and the
adolescent's home and family environment.
These children are being viewed as adults and are being charged with adult
punishments. How can this be? People under the age of eighteen are not even old
enough to vote, serve as jurors, sign a contract, purchase alcohol, or serve in the military.
Many states continue to lower the age in which children can be waived to adult court.
Vermont has set the age for a juvenile to be waived to adult court to the age of 10,
Montana, 12, and Georgia, Illinois and Mississippi, 13. Most states have set the standard
to the age of 14.
Our youth is the most valuable asset in today's world. Through education,
community and family involvement, and goal-oriented activities for our young people,
there may be a chance that tomorrow's world will be better than the one we have today.
There is hope. Believe in our future generations for a better society. These individuals
are our future of tomorrow. The question will always remain for years to come as to
whether or not juveniles should be waived to adult court for their mistakes. You be the
judge!
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